October 25, 2013

Madness in Manhattan tonight in Bramlage Coliseum; game ticket packages available

K-State fans can celebrate the start of the 2013-2014 basketball season with Madness in Manhattan tonight, Oct. 25, in Bramlage Coliseum. This is a free event for all fans.

The first 2,500 fans at the event, which is sponsored by K-State Federal Credit Union, will receive a free mini 2013 K-State men’s basketball Big 12 Championship banner. Doors to the arena will open at 8 p.m., following the homecoming parade and pep rally. Festivities will start at 8:30 p.m.

A special unveiling honoring K-State’s basketball heritage will highlight the evening, which will feature scrimmages, a dunk contest and skills competition by both teams. The event also will showcase special video presentations and performances by the K-State pep band, Willie Wildcat and the Classy Cats. In addition, there will be comments from selected men’s and women’s players.

The defending Big 12 champions men’s squad returns eight lettermen, including four players with starting experience, in 2013-2014. The group is headlined by All-Big 12 honorable mention selection Shane Southwell (8.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg.) and fellow senior Will Spradling (7.4 ppg., 2.4 apg.). The team also will have seven new players, including five freshmen, led by PARADE High School All-American Marcus Foster and Texas Top 30 prospect Wesley Iwundu.

The women’s basketball team, which advanced to the semifinals of the WNIT, returns five players who saw significant action in 2012-2013, including senior Chantay Caron, junior Haley Texada and sophomore Bri Craig. Among the five newcomers to the squad are three players who register 6-foot-3-inches or taller, including freshman Breanna Lewis, who ties for the second-tallest player in the program’s history. Incoming point guard Leti Romero helped the U18 Spanish National Team to a gold medal at the 2013 FIBA European Championships for Women.

Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets for both teams are currently on sale with a variety of packages available through the Athletics Ticket Office. The men’s 18-game home season which includes visits from Ole Miss, Long Beach State and George Washington – can be purchased for $20 per game. A Young Alumni season ticket can be purchased for $200, while the new Wildcat Victory Ticket Plan includes all non-conference and three midweek conference games – excluding the Big Monday game with Kansas – in general admission seating, sections 24-25, for $169.

The women’s 16-game home season can be purchased for $3 per game when ordering a Wildcat 4-Pack season ticket package – four general admission tickets – priced at $200. New this year, women’s basketball will be offering specific benefits for each game exclusively to chairback season ticket holders. Included in the ticket book will be coupons for each home game redeemable at Bramlage Coliseum for 16 specific benefits including free parking, free and discounted concession items, exclusive invitations and more.

The K-State women’s team will tip off the season on Monday, Oct. 28, with an exhibition game against Washburn, while the men play their exhibition game a few days later at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, against Pittsburg State.

Fans can purchase tickets in a variety of ways, including toll free at 800-221-CATS (2287), online at www.kstatesports.com/tickets and in-person at the Athletics ticket office in Bramlage Coliseum.